The Phillies are honing in on a decision on lefty Cole Hamels, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com writes. There is at least some consideration being given to holding onto Hamels, per the report.
“This isn’t do-or-die for us,” says GM Ruben Amaro Jr. “In the end, it’s about, ’What is the return?’ and, ’Is this the right return?’ If it is, we’ll move forward. And if it’s not, we won’t.”
There are about six clubs still in talks with Philadelphia on the club’s staff ace, per Stark. But sources from other teams indicate that they believe the Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Rangers are most likely to land him. We heard yesterday that the Astros were also still in the mix, along with Los Angeles and Texas.
Regarding the interest of the Dodgers, Stark says that Philly has asked for as many as six quality prospects in a package that would not include top youngsters Corey Seager and Julio Urias. While Los Angeles won’t give up that volume, per the report, the industry consensus is that the Dodgers are in the lead.
As for the Cubs, rival executives tell Stark that Chicago is offering a deal centered around Starlin Castro and/or Javier Baez (though it’s unclear whether both would conceivably be included together). But Philadelphia is not enthused about either player. The Red Sox, meanwhile, just sent top evaluator Allard Baird to watch Hamels throw and obviously have a stacked farm from which to deal. While they (like the Rangers) don’t really profile as a traditional buyer, Boston could still act with the future in mind.
Stark goes on to discuss some other, less likely suitors as well as the impact of the team’s upper-level front office transition on trade talks. It’s a lengthy and information-packed piece that you’ll want to read in full for all the latest on Hamels.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia is obviously also listening to offers for closer Jonathan Papelbon. According to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter), however, the Phillies are having trouble gaining “traction” on a deal. Papelbon’s $13MM option for next year, which is all but certain to vest at this point, “remains a sticking point,” per the report. Stark also adds (on Twitter) that, despite prior interest, the Blue Jays, Cubs, and Dodgers are not presently involved with talks regarding the reliever.
Meanwhile, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com provides an update on veteran second baseman Chase Utley, who says he is progressing as he works his way back from a sprained right ankle. As Salisbury notes, Utley could profile as an August trade piece if he can return to health and show increased productivity. While Philadelphia rebuffed the Dodgers and Marlins last winter when they asked about Utley, explaining that he was not interested in waiving his no-trade protection, Salisbury says that the 36-year-old “seems to have softened his position” on being dealt since that time.
I can’t imagine Starlin Castro has a TON of value. The same could be said about Baez. I’m assuming some other decent size pieces would have to be included in this deal?
If I’m another team I actually view him more as absorbing a bad contract than getting an asset. Two out of the last three years have been dreadful offensive seasons. His speed has declined so he is unlikely to yearly post very high BABIP like his first few seasons. Plus teams have a better idea if how to pitch him.
That is an interesting read from Stark But I think 1 team has been missing this whole time. The Cardinals. They have the prospect depth, the need, and the financial flexibility to pull this off. Grichuk/Piscotty, Gonzales/Kaminsky, Carson Kelly, and a lotto ticket could probably get it done. There haven’t been many rumors with the Cardinals, but that would be my darkhorse pick if it isn’t the Dodgers or Rangers
So the Dodgers don’t want to give up their top prospects for Hamels? but at the same time they want to add an ace to their postseason roster…. Hmmmm…. can you say … you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Come on, Dodgers are in fairy land. If they didn’t want to overpay for an ace during the deadline… they should have bought one in the offseason (Lester was available) or they should have developed one faster. If not, you are going to pay. 6 junk prospects for Hamels? Cole Hamels? You know, the guy who lead his team to 2 wins in the WS? Has Kershaw done that? No, and he’s had his chances. So, I’d love to see what they think they could get for trading Kershaw…. Dodgers need to stop visiting colorado so much, seems to be effecting their decisions.
I want whatever Amaro is smoking.
For those same 6 quality prospects I much rather have the Dodgers go after Cueto or Price and bullpen pieces.
Please, have the Dodgers do so, because as a Phillies fan, I’d rather hold onto King Cole. The Dodgers can keep their “Middlebrooks”, Phillies don’t need them.
King Cole? Really? He hasn’t been “king cole” in over 6 years. And even then he wasn’t exactly King. Keep him rotting in Philly.
It depends on what those quality prospects were. The Dodgers were rumored to even be saying Jose DeLeon is offlimits. The Rangers/Red Sox/Cubs could tell the Phillies their top three prospects are off limits and then deal two of the next tier prospects to the Phillies with a fringe prospect added in and all three of those teams would be deals better than the Dodgers trading their #4/5/6/7/8/9 to the Phillies. The Dodgers do not have anywhere near the farm system depth of those other teams, especially in position prospects.
If the dodgers want to be THAT stingy…. They can’t be that serious. Hows this for a counter offer… Phillies offer their top 5-25 prospects for Grienke… Would that get it done? See, its all slop without the top 5, that are rated in the top 100 prospects across the MLB. Any team would rather keep Hamels for those offers. Its not enough to get it done.
I don’t think the Cubs would trade both Baez and Castro to Philly because the one that doesn’t get traded is the starting shortstop.
No, Addison Russell is their ss.
Oh whoops I meant second base.
Alcantara
Ian Happ
I would be ok with Baez and a few mid tier prospects. Castro doesn’t really make much sense for us unless we are going to flip him soon after.
Actually, Mr. Amaro, for you specifically, this is kind of do-or-die.
And saying “we won’t do it for the wrong return” is begging the question. It’s your definition of right/wrong return that’s in question.
Bill… Amaro is gone. He is a shadow puppet at this point. Its Gillick who is calling the shots for the last time in his career. This is his ride off into the sunset. He will set the market for future returns. He knows teams are going to cough up those prospects, no doubt about it. 2 of their top 3, and 2 of their top 10 gets it done. Anything less, and the Phillies will have Hamels pitching until he retires, like all the other 08″ champs.
Looks more and more like the Phillies just need to keep Cole.He means alot more to the Phillies than he does to other teams.Teams are just not gonna give up their top 1-4 prospects for an aging arm who makes a ton of money.Yes its market value at 20 mil+ but that market value is increased significantly with high prospects going too.If im the Cubs,Astros,Dodgers I say keep Cole and just buy a pitcher in the off season.I mean its an older Cole Hammels,not a young Roger Clemmens.
Compared to what the free agent pitchers of Cole’s caliber are getting he is dirt cheap!
23.5 million and top prospects??Hardly dirt cheap
Doesn’t Papelbon make sense to the Cubs? Edwin Jackson has been DFAd and is getting 11m next year.
Philly receive Edwin Jackson (DFA) 3m in 2016, plus a prospect.
Cubs get Papelbon.
The Cubs are throwing away 11m next year with Jackson. So it is basically paying Papelbon 5m for next season.
The Phillies wind up spending 8m for next season but hope to play Jackson to where maybe they trade him and eat some salary so it could wind up less.
I’d love for papsmear to be gone. He’s a great player, just impossible to cheer for. Not as bad as M. Vick was, but pretty close. I’d tke just about anything for him.
Why in the world would the Phillies do this? Unless they are getting a top 75 prospect back its a completely useless deal for them.
Why not try and trade Hamels as part of a 3-team deal? It’s considerably easier to get multiple higher-end prospects when there are multiple teams involved, as no team is giving up more than, say, 1.
dodgers arent getting hamels unless something changes i dont see it happening so can we just move on to rumors about other pitchers dodgers can get because hamels not the only one. it been said since day one of the new owners, the new owners are all about building the farm so unless they have a change of heart no way the dodgers do something to hurt the farm they are growing
Please, keep Baez and Castro, Cubs. We don’t need a “Homer or Strikeout” guy, and we already have Crawford waiting in the wings. Now, if Schwarber is the centerpiece, maybe they can get something going. Otherwise, hang on the Hamels.
Schwarber the centerpiece?They wouldn’t trade Schwarber straight up for Cole.
That’s why Hamels is still in Philly. Amaro asking for the moon.
Its not Amaro… its Pat Gillick who is calling the shots from now till seasons end… before he rides off into the sunset and MacPhail takes over. Amaro is all but fired.
Top three aces going are Cueto, Price, and Hamels, the Dodgers and Cubs looking to go to the playoffs. The Astros should also have a good shot. The Rangers and Sox are out. Hamels could go to one of those five, while Cueto and Price being rentals would only go to a contender. I like Hamels going to the Dodgers, Price to the Cubs, and Cueto to the Astros.
Phillies are in a tough spot. They can’t give hamels away for nothing but he’s not going to bring back a clubs top 1-2 prospects. So logic says to keep him but if they do they will have a longer rebuild and hamels last good years will be wasted. I think teams know he has to be traded so they’re trying to get him cheap. I still say Astros for Appel, Velasquez, tucker makes sense for both sides
The phila are in better shape than most think, but Hamels is key component. Then can keep him or not. Either way the rebuild continues. It goes both ways, they could trade him, get junk Dom brown style prospects and really slow down the rebuild, or they can keep him and expect to have him act as. A #2 or #3 when they get competitive near the end of his contract. The phils can buy their way out of this if Nola, Franco, Giles, crawford, and ruluolph are hits. New got a super high draft pick coming this year and next, the international signings, and tons if money coming off the books. If biddle can be a #4 or5, even better, sign a pitcher in the offseason and the pitching is rebuilt. Just draft, trade, sign hitters
That’s a whole lot of if’s.
Yeah, I get the sense that most fans are overly negative at this point, but I see a chance for them to turn around quickly 2017/18″, granted the right moves got to be made. It’s be done before, and it’ll be done again, I’m got my fingers crossed that the Phillies FO can figure it out.
Right there with you. If they make the right moves, I could see a turn around a few years from now. But I definitely think that all starts with getting a decent return for Hamels. If no one makes a good offer, then keep him. But if you get something that makes you go hmm, I almost feel like you have to pull the trigger. There’s a lot of risk in holding him for another year, but in no way am I giving him up if the best deal offered isn’t up to par.
My fingers are crossed as well. Here’s to hoping they’re able to move Hamels, Papelbon, and Revere for some prospects to help speed up the rebuild. And here’s to hoping they have a good GM and manager lined up in the offseason to help lead the way.
I got faith. I think they are positioned better than fans think. there’s a lot of pressure on them from different angles : tv deal, rebuild, new FO, scouting … But I think they’ll get it done. cheers, ill bee getting my popcorn ready on the 31st ifhamels is still here. He’ll be getting moved in the final hr for a haul. Bank on it
As a Phils fan, I’m hoping a Hamels to Houston/Texas deal happens. I like both farm systems and could see a good match with either team (if Hamels OK’d an Astros deal).
No I’m not playing in Texas.
Samardzija to the Cubs for prospects.
Phillies simply aren’t going to get the moon and the stars for Hamels.
I’m ready to pitch anywhere but Philly. I may just throw meatballs on Saturday and go directly to the Cubs dugout.